Non-animal methods are often cheaper, quicker and more effective
Replacing animal tests does not mean putting human patients at risk. It also does not mean halting medical progress. Instead, replacing animals used in testing will improve the quality as well as the humanity of our science.
Development of non-animal methods is growing fast. Innovations in science, animal tests are being replaced in areas such as toxicity testing, neuroscience and drug development. Much more needs to be done. Promtoe the advance of animal testing alternatives and develop new ones.
There are often massive bureaucratic hurdles to implementing and enforcing the use of alternatives. Encourage regulators to accept and promote the use of non-animal methods to replace animal testing.
Alternatives:
Types of non-animal methods
Cell cultures
Almost every type of human and animal cell can be grown in the laboratory. Scientists have even managed to coax cells to grow into 3D structures, such as miniature human organs, which can provide a more realistic way to test new therapies.
Human cells have been used to create innovative little devices called āorgans-on-chipsā. These can be used instead of animals to study biological and disease processes, as well as drug metabolism. Devices have already been produced that accurately mimic the lung, heart, kidney and gut. The ultimate goal is to use these chips to create a whole āhuman-on-a-chipā.
Cell cultures have been central to key developments in areas such as cancers, sepsis, kidney disease and AIDS, and are routinely used in chemical safety testing, vaccine production and drug development.
Human tissues
Both healthy and diseased tissues donated from human volunteers can provide a more relevant way of studying human biology and disease than animal testing.
Human tissue can be donated from surgery (e.g. biopsies, cosmetic surgery and transplants). For example, skin and eye models made from reconstituted human skin and other tissues have been developed and are used to replace the cruel rabbit irritation tests.
Human tissue can also be used after a person has died (e.g. post-mortems). Post-mortem brain tissue has provided important leads to understanding brain regeneration and the effects of Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsonās disease.
Computer models
With the growing sophistication of computers, the ability to āmodelā or replicate aspects of the human body is ever more possible.
Computer models of the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, digestive and musculoskeletal systems already exist. They can be used to conduct virtual experiments based on existing information and mathematical data.
There are also data mining tools that can help make predictions about the likely hazard of one substance based on existing data from other, similar substances.
Volunteer studies
Advances in technology have allowed for the development of sophisticated scanning machines and recording techniques that can be used to study human volunteers safely.
Brain imaging machines that can āseeā inside the brain can be used to monitor the progression and treatment of brain disease. They can help researchers understand the causes by comparing with healthy volunteers.
An innovative technique called microdosing can also be used in volunteers to measure how very small doses of potential new drugs behave in the human body. These microdoses are radio-labelled, injected into human volunteers and measured (usually in blood samples) using a very sensitive measuring device called an accelerator mass spectrometer.
Less high-tech studies for nutrition, drug addiction and pain can also be carried out on consenting humans in the interest of advancing medical science. These studies can help replace animal tests and come with the obvious advantage that people are able to explain how they are feeling.
Replacement: the use of non-animal methods over animal methods whenever possible to achieve the same scientific aim.
Alternatives to animal experiments
Some humane alternatives to using animals in experiments:
- The use of isolated cells and tissues instead of live animals.
- Using computers and maths. Modeling bio processes and predict effects of chemicals and drugs.
- Designing ways of doing experiments safely in human volunteers.
- Using simple organisms, such as bacteria, to study basic bio processes.
- Exploring advanced technologies. Using robotics, molecular techniques, tissue engineering and āorgans-on-microchips.ā
- Not doing the experiment at all. Encourage greater thought of whether animal use could be avoided through a more critical ethical review.
No human cells should ever come from aborted fetal tissue as this is not needed
Create an Independent panel that ensures the safety and give specialist advice to the Government on animal replacement.
Set out specific provisions to facilitate progress in the shorter term, such as a program ofpractical support and training for scientists.
Support and ensure progress is made in implementing the changes. Including those in the bill sponsored by Rand Paul and expand on it. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/5002